101600 
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As a result of work during the spring and summer, the Atlantic flyway biolo- 
gists report on this bird was: Heard fairly commonly in certain good habitats 
' throughout pie diaritimes Provinces, but. the species 1s Cefinitely less common than 
ey aes several years ago. This reduction in numbers ig not accounted for, ‘but it 
ee been clearly noted during field work each syringe and summer in these Provinces. 
yaine Mississippi Flyway biologist making observations in the marshes bordering 
“the south and east coasts of James Bay, also found these birds in only fair nom 
bers... Population figures for that region from past years are not available for 
comoarison. This same observer working during the fall and winter in Louisiana 
reported that jacksnipes were not evenly distributed. In the southwestern part 
ef the State, in an ideal snipe marsn, very few could be found, whereas they were 
abundantly noted in certain areas in southeastern Louisiana. On his way south 
in October, he had found them numerous also in north-central Iowa, and had reports 
sin ebandance in the Arkansas rice country. : 
In the Delta region of He og 0 a decrease was reported, 
Analysis of all reports received for the fall migration again showed a 
favorable balance, although not so marked as was that for the spring movement, 
Rails and Coots 
But little additional information has been obtained on the status of the 
different species of rails. With improved ecological conditions along the coastal 
and interior marshes, there is every reason to believe that there has been a 
yaeneral numerical increase, 
‘The coot continues to increase and its managemen nt may become a serious prob 
le Sportsmen would help if they would add some of these birds to their bags. 
Properly prepared they are a good table bird. Directions for cooking coots may 
be obtained from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Chicago 54,.T11. 
Mourning Dove 
Reports on the 19''3 spring migration of mourning doves indicated a gratify— 
ing improvement in numerical status, Of 17! reports, 90 recorded no change, 66 
an increase, and only 18 a decrease. Considering the dangerously low point in 
the population of this species only 3 years ago, this is considered as indicating 
a most satisfactory recovery toward normal numbers, 
During the fall, @ special investigation was made in the Southeastern States, 
by the biologist of the Atlantic Flyway, followed by a similar study in midwinter 
“by the biologist in charge of the unit. The results of these and other studies 
showed that the mourning dove had experienced another good breeding season and 
that shortage of ammunition and other war-induced causes had resulted in a very 
light kill despite the fact that the regulations had been amended to permit in- 
creased hunting later in the season. 
